Ask the Car Doctor

What is it?
You car’s fuel system works with the rest of the engine control system to deliver the best performance with the lowest emissions. Check your car’s fuel system regularly or immediately if you smell gas or suspect a problem.

What does it do?
The fuel system transfers fuel from the fuel tank and passes it through a fuel filter for straining before it arrives at the injectors. A pressure regulator controls fuel pressure to ensure good engine performance under a variety of speed and load conditions. Fuel injectors, when activated, spray a metered amount of fuel into the engine. Some vehicles use a return line system to return unused fuel back to the tank.

Typical Wear and Tear
Intervals for fuel system maintenance may be influenced by:

What is it?
Your car’s filters are important to the longevity of your car and interior comfort. Maximize your car investment by replacing filters regularly.

What does it do?
The oil filter traps contaminants, allowing the oil to flow through the engine unrestricted. The fuel filter separates harmful contaminants that may cause problems with carburetors or intricate fuel injectors. The air filter traps dirt particles, which can cause damage to engine cylinders, walls, pistons and piston rings. The air filter also plays a role in keeping contaminants off the airflow sensor (in fuel-injected cars). The cabin filter helps trap pollen, bacteria and dust that may find their way into a car’s ventilation system.

Summer’s coming in and sweaters are coming off. In the cold winter months you dreamed about the hot summer trips you have planned with your family and friends.

Make sure your dreams come true! Don’t let your car be the reason you miss out on your plans or stress you out.

Follow our Summer Maintenance Checklist and your car will be the least of your worries.

1. Check Tire Pressure or Risk High Blood Pressure

Air pressure changes due to changes in temperature. It is an easy check that you can do yourself. Last thing you want to do is change a flat tire in the scorching heat. Unless this is what you look forward to in the summer.

2. Use The Right Lube For Your Engine

Sure, you check your oil change every 3,000 miles. However, even if you haven’t hit the change miles, you should consider getting an oil change if you are pulling a trailer or traveling long distances in the hot summer weather. Oil becomes more fluid with heat so you should check to make sure the oil you are using is thick enough to protect your engine.

3. Check Your Coolant Or Risk Being Un-Cool

Your engine gets very hot when it is running, and even more so when you add in high temperatures. It is absolutely crucial to check your coolant levels and to top it off. This way your engine will stay cool along with your temper.

4. Does Your AC Work?

Every summer, there are tons of drivers who enter their car sauna and flip on their AC to feel a blast of hot air. Don’t give yourself extra stress because you didn’t check to see if your AC works.

Summer is great, if you’re cool.

5. Cool Winter Tires! Too bad It’s Summer

So, get rid of your winter tires! They did their job, now change them out. Whatever tires you end up using, make sure to check your tread levels or shame yourself with a spare donut.

6. Summer Doesn’t Mean You Stop Wiping

When did anyone have the best chance to beat Muhammad Ali in a fight? Immediately, after he went 8 rounds with George Foreman in Rumble in the Jungle. Your wipers kept your windshield clear through the brutal winter, but after a bitter fight it needs a break. Unfortunately for your wipers, this means retirement cause a new wiper is in town.

7. What Does An Air Filter Do? Filters Air Duh!

You’re not alone. Most people have no clue what the benefits of replacing your air filter are. First, remember that gas prices go up in the summer. A new air filter will increase your fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

Not only that, if you change your air filter every 12,000 miles, then you will extend the life of your engine in the long run. Don’t have a one summer fling with your car, have healthy long-distance relationship.

8. Be Clean!

It’s reasonable enough to slack off on the exterior cleanliness of your car in the winter months. Most people won’t judge. However, when summer hits and your car is still dripping in the mascara left over from its winter breakup, well it’s just sad.

9. Be safe and Have Fun!

It’s summertime soon and we here at Gregs Too hope it is a BLAST and make sure if you need any car fixes or maintenance, feel free to visit any of our locations near you!

What is it?
The engine cooling system affects your car’s overall dependability and engine longevity. Cooling systems have advanced over the years with new coolant formulations and new radiator designs and materials. If you suspect a problem with your cooling system, you should check it immediately.

What does it do?
The key parts of the cooling system remove heat from the engine and automatic transmission and dissipate heat to the air outside. The water pump circulates coolant through the engine. The coolant absorbs heat and returns it to the radiator where heat is dissipated. The thermostat regulates the coolant temperature to keep it consistent for efficient engine operation.

Typical Wear and Tear
Factors that affect the replacement of cooling system parts include: